Our friend Joye has been through a lot in her first few weeks on our Web site. She’s been rejected from nursing school, found out she actually got into nursing school, and had trouble waking up for her first class of the semester. Today, Joye is struggling to get up again. And she’s finding out that the reality of nursing school is more than textbooks and caring for patients. Let’s join her.

It is two years ago on August 19. With her first day behind her, Joye is slowly getting into the swing of things at nursing school. Sort of.

6:59 am:

I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to do it. I just can’t get up and go back to school.

One minute later:

That annoying alarm is going off again. Wake up brain, WAKE UP! I really need to find a better way to wake up. Cinderella had those cute little blue birds to sing to her. Actually, I think those birds would get annoying. Everyone knows I am not Cinderella. Actually, I think I am more of a Sleeping Beauty. I just love sleep. Ummmmm . . . sleep. I just love my bed. It is my favorite place to be. I have big fluffy pillows, colorful sheets, and a comfy comforter. Okay, I have to get up.

7:46 am:

I’m finally at school! Now the fun begins. I have to find a parking spot. I can’t believe there are this many people up at this unreal hour.

7 minutes later: 

I am safe. Elizabeth, my best pal at nursing school, saved me a seat for me. What a great friend.

8:01 am:

Another teacher enters the room. (The one from my first class gave us a quiz right away.) She introduces herself. She has a military background . . . Captain Lambs. Captain just informed us that we will not be doing any patient care during our first semester. The focus is on attaining skills and perfecting our uniform wearing abilities. Part of our final grade will include a section on our uniform appearance. Really? Really? Our uniforms?  This is going to be an awful semester. I want to go back to bed.

Editor’s note: Joye’s column appears exclusively on StressedOutNurses.com. Write comments and share your opinions with Joye by writing to editor@stressedoutnurses.com. We’ll make sure she receives your message.